PERSONAL SAFETY

Try to plan your visits to automatic teller during the day, rather than after dark.

Choose an ATM location that is in a busy public place.

Avoid making withdrawals in isolated areas.

If at all possible, take along a friend who can watch the surroundings while you are conducting your transactions.

Pre-plan your transaction carefully, and don’t spend too much time at the machine.

When you make a withdrawal, quickly place the money in your purse or wallet and leave, as soon as you finish your transaction.

Watch out for suspicious-looking people waiting around an ATM–they may not really be
customers. If someone offers to let you go ahead of them, decline politely and leave.

When visiting a drive-through ATM, keep your doors locked and be prepared to drive away quickly.
If anyone approaches your car on foot, roll up your window and drive off.

If you have not finished your transaction, and you are approached by a suspicious character, press the CANCEL button, receive your card and leave
quickly.

MAKE SURE YOUR KIDS KNOW!

How to call "911" or "0" in emergencies, and how to use a public phone. Help
them practice making emergency phone calls. Be sure all emergency numbers
such as: police, fire, poison control and emergency medical are by all phones.

Their full name, address, and phone number (including the area code), plus your work phone number. If you have a cellular phone and/or beeper, teach your children these numbers, as well.

How to walk confidently and stay alert to what's going on around them.

To walk and play with friends, not alone.

To refuse rides or gifts from anyone, unless its someone both you and your child
know and trust.

To tell a trusted adult immediately if anyone, no matter whom, touches them in a way
that makes them feel uncomfortable.

HOME ALONE! WHAT KIDS SHOULD KNOW...

What steps you want them to follow when they get home; such as phoning you at work or a
neighbor or grandparent who is at home.

Not to let strangers, adults or children into the home for any reason.

Not to tell telephone callers that theyre alone.

That door and window locks must always be used. Be sure your children know how the work
them.

Not to go into the home if a door is ajar or a window is broken, but to go to a
neighbors or public phone and call the police.

Your rules about acceptable activities when you are not at home. Be very clear.

WHEN YOU GO AWAY

Ask a trusted neighbor to collect your mail and newspaper, and offer to return the
favor.

Leave word about when youre leaving, when youll return, and how you can be
reached in an emergency.

Put automatic timers on at least two lights (and possibly a radio) to help your home
look and sound lived-in.

AVOIDING FRAUD & SCAMS

Con-artists are not always easy to spot. Smart, extremely persuasive, and aggressive,
they invade your home through the telephone and the mail, advertise in reputable
newspapers and magazines, and come to your door. Most people think theyre too smart
to fall for a scam. But con artists rob all kinds of people from investment
counselors and doctors to teenagers and elderly widows of billions every year.
Its up to you to say no. Use common sense and learn about old and new scams.

If a caller asks for your credit card number to verify a free vacation or other gift,
hang up. Your number may be used to charge purchases by phone.

Make sure you know the charges before calling a 900 number. Most 800 numbers are free, 900 numbers are not.

Be very suspicious if you receive a collect call from someone who says hes a
law-enforcement officer with emergency information about a family member, requesting your
phone card number to charge the call. Other variations of this scam include a telephone
company investigator checking a system failure, or an FCC official investigating a
complaint.

Ask for a financial reports if a caller requests a charitable donation. Reputable
charities will always send this information if you ask.

**Never make an investment with a stranger over the phone.

If you feel the information on this page is incorrect or out
dated, please contact this department's
content manager.